Jackett Hails Strong Finish

Griffiths is looking sharp second week in after coming back to the club after his loan"

Kenny Jackett

Kenny Jackett believes Wolves reaped the rewards of being more creative in the second half as they came from behind to win at Wrexham and maintain their 100 per cent pre-season record.

Jay Harris put the hosts in front on 12 minutes and they fully deserved that advantage at half time, but goals from substitute Jake Cassidy and the ever-dangerous Leigh Griffiths after the break ensured Wolves made it from three from three by the odd goal in pre-season.

And Jackett said it was about an added spark from the half time changes as well as Wolves finding more of a cutting edge which could have seen them add further goals in the second period.

“We didn’t necessarily start the best as we’ve done a couple of times now,” said the Head Coach.

“But we finished very strongly.

“The second half was a good period for us and we scored a couple of good goals.

“It’s always nice to see the front two players score as Griffiths and Cassidy did in the second half and they also had a lot of other shots and chances going forward.

“There was more tempo in the second half.

“In terms of our play and our passing it is very easy for us to pass it safe – we’ve got to be cutting and be creative and have players who can go past people.

“While sometimes we can keep possession we have to make sure that we have people that can take defenders out of the game as well.

“We needed to be better in the second half.

“I was disappointed with their goal which we conceded from a set piece.

“We had a high number of corners tonight but didn’t get any efforts in and that was poor.

“The balls in from Sako and then Griffiths were quite good so we do need to make sure that if we earn that number of set pieces we have to turn them into goals.

“I didn’t necessarily do anything different for the second half but the boys who came in gave us a fresh emphasis and maybe made a difference.”

Bakary Sako limped out of the action before half time with Jackett revealing a hamstring problem that is likely to rule the winger out of Saturday’s next friendly at Barnsley.

“Sako felt his hamstring early in the game,” said Jackett.

“We hope it’s not too bad but I wouldn’t think he’ll play Saturday.

“How long now we’ll have to see.”

Kevin Foley was also missing with a slight ankle injury but Wayne Hennessey came through his 45 minutes strongly for his first runout at first team level since April of last year.

And there were plenty of positives at the other end of he pitch too with Griffiths and Cassidy both finding the net.

“Griffiths is looking sharp second week in after coming back to the club after his loan,” said Jackett.

“He has made a good start and looked lively in the games.

“He drifts out wide and has got a good game intelligence in taking up good positions.

“It will be interesting to see how he develops this season.

“Back in North Wales I am sure Jake will be very pleased with his goal.

“He knows what League One is all about and is quite a strong lad and you do need that at times.

“In the second half he certainly helped us to move forward a bit quicker.”

Carl Ikeme, Georg Margreitter and Zeli Ismail all stayed back at Compton to play 90 minutes of the behind-closed-doors friendly win over Birmingham, with Jackett explaining the balance between changing the team and giving players enough minutes.

“I brought 18 players here tonight,” he explained.

“Now as the team starts to form we have got to make sure that people get 90 minutes as well rather than just coming on as sub and getting bits and pieces.

“The other side of that is making sure that everyone is fit and available and we don’t get too many injuries.

“As much as we are working towards a new team this pre-season, when we turn up at Preston we want to have as many fit and available senior professionals as possible.”